GRAEME SOUNESS feels the whole country wants to see Newcastle United suffer FA Cup humiliation tomorrow, when his hopes of naming his strongest midfield could be dictated by inclement weather.

Days of freezing temperatures in Gloucestershire have led to the Whaddon Road surface firming up and the covers will remain on tonight to ensure the game is given the go-ahead in the morning.

But, even if the measures taken are successful and the playing surface is deemed fit, the conditions are hardly ideal for the Newcastle boss hoping to reintroduce some of his injured stars.

A hard pitch could do more harm than good to the likes of Emre, who has not played since November with a hamstring problem.

It is that sort of injury which Souness had claimed a large number of his playing staff had suffered from during the first few months of the campaign when they were training at their Benton training ground.

And, with Emre a notable absentee for the defeat against Blackburn last weekend, the Turk's fitness would seriously be tested if he were to make his return at the frosty lower league surroundings.

Souness also hopes to have Scott Parker available again after a knee injury - meaning he could in theory field his strongest midfield quartet against Cheltenham - while centre-back Titus Bramble has been playing on with a groin problem for weeks.

It's hardly an ideal situation for Souness, whose position is likely to become untenable if Newcastle don't make easy progress tomorrow lunchtime.

The Scot was in the stands at Whaddon Road on Tuesday night to witness Colchester overcome their League Two counterparts in the LDV Vans Trophy.

And Souness - also hoping striker Shola Ameobi could be available from a hip injury, which they will attempt to solve in the summer - hopes the cramped ground will be in a similar state to the way he left it after watching that particular match.

"The pitch was OK on Tuesday, it looked fine. But there have been some heavy frosts in Cheltenham and they are forecast to continue," said the Newcastle chief. "The club have put the covers on and we're hoping it will be fine. But it is a worry. It always is when you go into the unknown in games like this."

The last thing Souness, knowing an early FA Cup exit is likely to cost him his job on Monday morning, needs are injury setbacks for an already difficult Premiership campaign.

But, with his reign in serious jeopardy, he also knows he needs to play his strongest team as soon as possible, risking the possibility of further setbacks to his expensive summer buys.

Having experienced the full wrath of the angry Geordie public after Saturday's defeat to Blackburn, Souness realises the whole country are monitoring tomorrow's cup date with bated breath.

"If you are not a Newcastle fan then I would guess the whole of the nation will be hoping we come unstuck. It would make for great television for the BBC. If you are not a Newcastle fan you'll be shouting for Cheltenham," Souness said.

"It will be a difficult game. It is a banana skin and we have to understand that people want to see a big club come unstuck against little ones. We know what we are going in to and we know what the pitch is like and we have got to expect the worst."

Newcastle have had uncomfortable FA Cup experiences in the past at Stevenage Borough, Yeading and, most infamously Hereford, so there are few at St James' Park expecting an easy ride in Gloucestershire.

The fact Cheltenham have lost just two in 20 games and face a Premiership team suffering from erratic form suggests a classic FA Cup upset could be on the cards.

Souness said: "We have played Grimsby and Mansfield so far this season and this will be similar sort of game I guess.

"We are coming up against players we have not come up against before.

"I have been involved in games like this before when the players you are facing have their eyes popping out of their heads with adrenalin from the very first minute. It will be a proper cup tie."

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